A Shift in Conservative Politics and Economics “The chief business of the American people is business.” - Calvin Coolidge

Today’s Objective  After today’s lesson, students will be able to…  Explain the shift in politics from Wilson to the 1920s  Essential Skill  Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions

Review Questions  How would you describe the Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s?  What were the immigration policies of the 1920s and what kind of effect did they have?  What was the importance of the automobile?  How did Henry Ford revolutionize industry?  What was the effect of technology on housework?  How did the consumer culture impact America?

Return of the Republicans  Unquestioned majority party  Progressivism largely disappeared  Faith in the ability of business to establish prosperity and benefit all  “Less government in business and more business in government”  Viewed government as the partner of business, not the regulator  Advocated laissez-faire approach

Warren G. Harding  “A Return to Normalcy”  Defeated James Cox in 1920  “Looked presidential”  Handsome, gray-haired, and outgoing  Little intellectual depth  Competent Cabinet  Secretary of State – Charles E. Hughes  Secretary of Treasury – Andrew Mellon  Secretary of Commerce – Herbert Hoover

Plagued by Corruption  Appointed incompetent friends and political supporters to high-level jobs  Charles Forbes (VA Dept.) swindled $200 million  Attorney General Harry Daugherty accepted bribes  Extramarital Affair?  Nan Britton

The Ultimate Scandal  Albert Fall gained control of strategic oil reserves  “Leased” the property to private oilmen  Sentenced to 1 year in prison Teapot Dome Scandal

Election of 1924

Calvin Coolidge  Stoic, frugal, “Silent Cal”  Social issues “beyond the scope of government”  Return to laissez-faire (free market, free operation)  Prevented government from interfering in the operation of business  “Those who build a factory, build a temple. Those who work in a factory, worship there”

Harding and Coolidge  What was the general attitude of Harding and Coolidge administration toward the economy?  How does this mark a change from the administration of Roosevelt?